Corporate Social Responsibility Policy Statement 2017

The Business Clinic Organisation CIC and associated companies focuses on our Corporate and Social Responsibilities through the deliberate creation of positive impact on the local business community. We do this through promotion of open to all activities (clinics) beyond our core business while serving the interest of the local business community. As a business support organisation, we recognise the specific contribution we have to make to the advancement of the local business community and the society within which it is therefore based. The Business Clinic Organisation’s own growth and development is aligned with both sound economic and social conditions.

We understand and appreciate that businesses work hard for their revenue and, with increasing numbers of not for profit and charitable organisations, requesting funding support, which can often offer little in return, The Business Clinic Organisation is different. We believe that CSR should be a collaborative, two-way street.In return for the support of our Business Practitioners, through their collaboration with us and the demonstrating of a responsibility and interest in the local community, we aid the success of local enterprises through achieving healthier profits.

People

The Business Clinic recognises that our people are our greatest asset and key to continued growth and success and as such, we are committed to providing careers and working environments in which our people can achieve to their fullest potential.

The Business Clinic has a commitment to keeping employees informed of The Business Clinic affairs through regular staff meetings. Employees are encouraged to discuss operational issues with their line management and to suggest ways to improve performance and efficiency.

Developing future talent is fundamental to The Business Clinic. New apprenticeship and graduate recruitment schemes have been introduced, or are being explored, within the business, alongside in house training for all staff within our operations.

The Business Clinic:

Provides clear and fair terms of employment for its employees

Provides clean, healthy and safe working conditions

Has a fair remuneration policy everywhere we operate

Strives for equal opportunities for all present and potential employees

Encourages employees to develop skills and progress in their careers

Does not employ underage staff

Ensures that staff are aware of The Business Clinic’s policies on insider trading, bribery and inappropriate gifts, money laundering and whistle blowing

Encouraging a harmonious working environment with zero tolerance to bullying or to any form of harassment linked to an individual’s sex or other personal characteristics

Equal Opportunities

The Business Clinic is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and diversity in employment and recognises that this is essential to ensuring the success and growth of the organisation. To this end, The Business Clinic makes every effort to select, recruit, train and promote the best candidates based on suitability for the job; to treat all employees and applicants fairly, regardless of race, sex, marital status, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religious belief, sexual orientation or disability; and to ensure that no employee suffers harassment or intimidation.

Disabled Employees

It is the policy of The Business Clinic to provide employment and to make reasonable adjustment to accommodate disabled persons wherever business requirements will allow and if applications for employment are received from suitable individuals. Should an existing employee become disabled, every reasonable effort will be made to ensure that their employment with The Business Clinic can continue on a worthwhile basis and that career opportunities are available to them.

Health, Safety and Welfare at Work

The health and safety, welfare and wellbeing of employees is of paramount importance to The Business Clinic. It is the policy of The Business Clinic to create and improve standards of Health and Safety, which will lead to the avoidance and reduction of risks and to ensure that the company complies with all Health and Safety legislation.

The Business Clinic makes every reasonable and practicable effort to provide safe and healthy working conditions in all its offices. It is the duty of all employees to exercise responsibility and to do everything they can to prevent injury to themselves and to others. The policy standards and procedures are communicated to employees through contracts of employment, staff hand books, operating manuals and staff training as appropriate.

Information Security

The Business Clinic is committed to ensuring the integrity and security of its business information with particular attention given to personal and sensitive data where inappropriate use or inadequate maintenance and safeguarding could have serious repercussions. The Business Clinic policies and procedures are based on its requirements for a secure operating environment, an assessment of the risks that the Company faces and relevant legal and best‐practice requirements.

Environmental Issues

Environmental savings make good business sense. Our primary objective is to minimise our carbon footprint and any negative impact we may have on the environment.

The Business Clinic is committed to the following:

To meet or exceed the requirements of relevant legislative, regulatory and environmental codes of practice

To identify, reduce and dispose of waste arising from our operations in a manner that minimises harm to the environment and prevents pollution of land, air and water

To reduce the consumption of energy and water and use renewable and/or recyclable resources wherever practicable

To encourage our suppliers and subcontractors to implement good environmental practices and procedures which support our own objectives and targets

To take responsibility for the maintenance and revision of our environmental policy, which is reviewed on a regular basis, in order to set environmental objectives and targets for continuous improvement, as we recognise the need for sustainable development

In addition:

The business has launched local initiatives to ensure we recycle office waste

E‐payslips were introduced for all The Business Clinic employees in 2016, which has reduced our carbon footprint and print and postal costs

Recycling of used printer cartridges and mobile phones. 80% of our toner cartridges are recycled, in partnership with our printer suppliers

Charitable Giving

Charitable giving will be regularly reviewed and ongoing charities that align with our values and those of the community look to support will also be worked withThe Business Clinic support two national charities: The British Heart Foundation and MacMillan Cancer.

From time to time the Business Clinic will make contributions to recognised charities. The contributions will be either in the form of a straight donation to a cause that the organisation feels strongly about or in the form of purchased advertising or activity support.

Customers

The Business Clinic:

Seeks to be honest and fair in our relationships with its customers

Provides the standards of product and service that have been agreed

Takes all reasonable steps to ensure the safety and quality of products or services that it produces

Suppliers

The Business Clinic:

Seeks to be honest and fair in our relationships with suppliers and subcontractors

Pays suppliers and subcontractors in accordance with agreed terms

Has a policy not to offer, pay or accept bribes or substantial favours

Encourages suppliers and subcontractors to abide by the same standards and principles

Local Communities

The Business Clinic:

Aims to make the communities in which we work, better places to live and do business

Aims to be sensitive to the local community’s cultural, social and economic needs

Endeavours to protect and preserve the environment wherever The Business Clinic operates